Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

7. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of companies Enterprise Ireland is currently assisting in diversifying their export markets to reduce reliance on Britain in the wake of Brexit. [14460/17]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There are 1,500 Enterprise Ireland (EI) client companies recording exports to the UK.  They employ 100,000 people across the country and have exports of over €7 billion.

In Budget 2017, I secured additional monies, both current and capital, to support Enterprise Ireland’s strategic response to Brexit, including 39 targeted posts, both at home and abroad to support its clients across all markets.

Extra staff will be placed in EI’s domestic and overseas offices with sectoral knowledge and expertise such as in engineering, food, life sciences and construction. This will drive export growth to other international markets where there are known opportunities, and will reduce reliance on the UK.

With regard to export diversification, the EU and the Eurozone in particular present significant opportunities. EI is currently finalising a strategy focused on the Eurozone, targeting a 50% increase in exports by 2020.

Furthermore, the US and Canada will continue to be key markets for Irish companies. We will also continue to support companies to build their market share in high potential markets of China, South Korea, India, Asean, the Gulf, Latin America and Africa.

These client companies are spread right across the regions. EI’s support to increase and diversify their export footprint in turn drives regional employment growth.